NCIDQ EXAM PREPARATION
What is the NCIDQ Exam?
The NCIDQ Exam is a certification exam for professional interior designers, administered by the Council for Interior Design Qualification. It is a three-part exam covering all aspects of interior design practice.
What is NCIDQ Certification?
NCIDQ Certified Designers have completed a minimum of six years of specialized education and experience and passed a the NCIDQ exam.
What does the NCIDQ Exam cover?
The NCIDQ Exam consists of 3 parts.
- The IDFX, or Interior Design Fundamentals Exam, is a computerized multiple-choice exame with 125 questions related to building systems and construction, programming, site analysis, human behavior and the designed environment, construction drawing and specifications, and more.
- The IDPX, or Interior Design Professional Exam, is a computerized multiple-choice exame with 175 questions related to codes and standards, building systems and integration, project coordination, professional and business practices, and more.
- The Practicum (PRAC) is a 4-hour exam that covers contract documents, building systems and integration, programming and site analysis, and codes and standards. New in Fall 2017, the Practicum is a computerized exam.
When can I take the NCIDQ Exam?
You can apply to take the IDFX as soon as you complete you interior design degree from DISD. You do not need to have any work experience to take the IDFX.
You can apply to take the IDPX and Practicum after you have completed your degree, passed the IDFX, and worked 3,520 qualifying work experience hours. Up to half of these hours can be earned while you are a student; at least half must be earned after you complete your degree. Alternately, if you have completed your education AND all of your supervised work experience, you can apply for approval to take all three test sections at once.
How do I sign up to take the NCIDQ Exam?
First, you need to apply to take the exam. CIDQ will make sure that you have the appropriate education and work experience before approving your application.
When is the NCIDQ Exam offered?
The NCIDQ Exam is offered twice a year, in the spring (usually April) and the fall (usually October). You must apply AND have your application approved several months in advance: by January 15 for the spring exam, and by July 15 for the fall exam.
Where is the NCIDQ Exam offered?
The NCIDQ Exam is offered at locations throughout the United States.
How much does it cost to take the NCIDQ Exam?
The application fees range from $95 to $225, depending on which sections you are applying to take; these fees cover the cost of reviewing applications to ensure eligibility. The fees to take the exam range from $295 to $450, again depending on the section you are taking. There are additional fees for late registration, registration changes, and cancellations. Click here for complete details.
IIDA Associate Members in good standing may apply for financial assistance upon passing all three parts of the NCIDQ Exam. The NCIDQ Tuition Reimbursement Fund awards financial assistance of up to $1,096 to up to seven IIDA Members each year.
Where can I learn more?
On the CIDQ website for Students / Emerging Professionals and Educators.
What are CIDQ Ambassadors?
An Ambassador for the NCIDQ Exam is a practitioner, educator, or advocate who is committed to promoting the value of the NCIDQ Exam and NCIDQ Certification. An Ambassador can mentor potential exam takers and guide them through the process.
DISD alumna and former instructor Isabelle Odjaghian is one of three Ambassadors in the San Diego region.
Find an Ambassador in your area on the CIDQ website.
In the Library
Interior Design Reference Manual : Everything You Need to Know to Pass the NCIDQ Exam
by David Kent Ballast
Provides a comprehensive review of all NCIDQ content areas
NCIDQ Examination Practice Design Problem : Practicum PDP 2014-2
This design problem was used in the NCIDQ Practicum in 2014 and includes seven unique exercises that focus on space planning, lighting design, egress, life safety, restroom design, systems integration, and millwork
NCIDQ IDFX : Sample Questions and Practice Exam
by David Kent Ballast
Includes detailed answers for all sample and practice exam questions
NCIDQ IDPX : Sample Questions and Practice Exam
by David Kent Ballast
Includes detailed answers for all sample and practice exam questions
Online
Preparing for the Exam | NCIDQ Examination | CIDQ
Tips for studying, an outline of the content covered in each section, and links to other study materials
Study Materials | NCIDQ Examination | CIDQ
Online practice quizzes and design problems available for purchase
NCIDQ Exam | Power to Pass
Books, flashcards, sample questions, and practice exams available for purchase
NCIDQ Exam Preparation | ASID
ASID Members are eligible for discount pricing on some NCIDQ exam study materials, including online study groups and practice tests
CIDQ provides a list of reference materials, including forms, codes, standards and books, that may be useful to you in studying for the NCIDQ exam. You should be familiar with project forms, contractual agreements and construction documents from AIA, ASID and IIDA, as well as common codes and standards.
The books listed here are those frequently used as references when developing multiple-choice questions for the IDFX and IDPX. All of them are available in the DISD Library.
In the Library
Building Codes Illustrated : A Guide to Understanding the 2015 International Building Code
by Francis D.K. Ching and Steven R. Winkel
Illustrates and explains the sections of the IBC most relevant to architects and interior designers
Building Construction Illustrated
by Francis D.K. Ching
Illustrates all aspects of building construction, including the International Building Codes
Building Systems for Interior Designers
by Corky Binggeli
Considers building sites, structural systems, water and waste systems, heating and cooling systems, indoor air quality, electrical and lighting systems, fire safety, and acoustics
The Codes Guidebook for Interiors
by Sharon K. Harmon and Katherine E. Kennon
Focuses on codes applicable to commercial and residential interiors, including IBC and ADA requirements
Designing Commercial Interiors
by Christine M. Piotrowski and Elizabeth A. Rogers
Considers interior design for office, lodging, food and beverage, retail, healthcare, senior living, institutional, cultural, and recreational facilities
Fundamentals of Lighting
by Susan M. Winchip
Addresses lighting design for commercial and residential interiors, covering natural and artificial light sources, energy efficiency and sustainable design, connections to human health and behavior, luminaries and controls, the lighting design process, and post-occupancy evaluations
Interior Construction & Detailing for Designers and Architects
by David Kent Ballast
Provides information about materials, construction methods and details of commercial and residential interiors
The Interior Design Business Handbook: A Complete Guide to Profitability
by Mary Knackstedt
Provides information about establishing your own firm, different business types and structures, managing a design team, business planning, pricing, project management, working with vendors, financial management, and more
Interior Design Visual Presentation : A Guide to Graphics, Models, and Presentation Techniques
by Maureen Mitton
Covers drawings, sketches, renderings, models, presentation boards, portfolios, and résumés, with examples of each
Interior Graphic and Design Standards
by S.C. Reznikoff
Illustrates how to specify all aspects of commercial and residential interiors
Interior Graphic Standards
by Maryrose McGowan and Kelsey Kruse
Illustrates how to specify all aspects of commercial and residential interiors, including universal and sustainable design principles, specialty fixtures and equipment, and specialized spaces
Interior Graphic Standards, Student Edition
by Maryrose McGowan and Kelsey Kruse
This condensed version of Interior Graphic Standards focuses on the most common and essential design factors, building components, and interior typologies
Interior Lighting for Designers
by Gary Gordon
Covers the entire lighting design process, including perception and vision, light and health, psychological factors, color and measurement of light, natural and artificial light sources, luminaries and controls, sustainable design, and more
Planning & Managing Interior Projects
by Carol E. Farren
Examines project management throughout the design process for commercial interiors, from strategic planning and site selection to post-occupancy duties
Problem Seeking : An Architectural Programming Primer
by William Peña and Steven Parshall
Explains the process of programming a space, whether residential or commercial, with diagrams and illustrations
Professional Practice for Interior Designers
by Christine M. Piotrowski
Explores the full range of legal, financial, management, marketing, administrative, and ethical issues faced by interior designers planning or running a commercial or residential design business
Shaping Interior Space
by Roberto J. Rengel
Covers the essential issues of space planning and the design process
Space Planning Basics
by Mark Karlen
Provides a step-by-step approach to planning commercial spaces, from the first bubble diagrams to final floor plans
Specifying Interiors: A Guide to Construction and FF&E for Commercial Interiors Projects
by Maryrose McGowan
Provides detailed information on preparing contract documents for commercial projects, and includes relevant AIA documents
Successful Interior Projects Through Effective Contract Documents
by Joel Downey and Patricia K. Gilbert
Provides detailed information on preparing contract documents, negotiating and administering contracts, and managing projects
Sustainable Design for Interior Environments
by Susan M. Winchip
Covers building components, finishes and furnishings, indoor environmental quality, and lighting for commercial and residential interiors
Textiles for Residential and Commercial Interiors
by Amy Willbanks, Nancy Oxford and Dana Miller
Covers fiber and fabric information, textiles in commercial and residential interiors, and the environmental impact of textiles
Time-Saver Standards for Interior Design and Space Planning
Provides design, architecture and construction standards for all types of projects, including standard layouts and plans
Online
Reference Materials | NCIDQ Examination | CIDQ
Forms, codes, standards and books that may be useful when studying for the NCIDQ exam
2015 International Building Code (IBC)
The IBC is a model code that can be adopted and customized by local jurisdictions, and it is the basis for building codes throughout the United States and around the world
ABA Accessibility Standards | United States Access Board
Buildings owned or leased by the federal government must meet the accessibility standards in the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)
ADA Standards for Accessible Design | United States Access Board
Most public, commercial, government and transportation facilities not covered by the ABA must meet the accessibility standards in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
EPA Regulations for the Construction Sector | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Regulations covering water, waste, hazardous materials, and other environmental issues for construction projects
NFPA 101: Life Safety Code | National Fire Protection Association
This code focuses on minimizing the effects of fire and related hazards in both new and existing structures
Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities | American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
This standard provides technical criteria for making sites, facilities, buildings, and elements accessible
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